Abstract
BackgroundRecent researches demonstrate that pre-treatment with androgen could increase retrieved oocytes number and clinical pregnancy rate in poor ovarian response (POR) patients. In view of gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) is important for follicular growth, and androgen plays an important role in improving prognosis of POR patients, we speculate that androgen can increase the expression of connexin in follicle cells, and improve ovarian microenvironment, thus can promote ovarian response. The objective of the research is to study the effect of testosterone on connexin37 (Cx37) expression so as to provide theoretical basis for adding testosterone in treatment of POR.MethodsCumulus-oocyte-cells (COCs) were collected from ICR mice ovaries, and were cultured in vitro for 48 h and then treated with testosterone (T) at various concentration. To assess whether the effect of androgen on Cx37 expression is mediated through androgen receptor (AR) pathway, COCs were cultured in vitro with Flutamide (androgen receptor antagonist). The expression of Cx37 was determined by western blot.ResultsThe expression of Cx37 in COCs which were treated with testosterone was higher than that of control group. There were significant differences (P < 0.001;<0.001;<0.001;<0.001). Cx37 increased with the elevated testosterone concentrations. Cx37 was lower in androgen receptor antagonist group (2.57 ± 0.12) than the corresponding testosterone concentrations group (4.42 ± 0.28). There were significant differences between two groups (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThere was close relationship between gap junction protein and ovarian response, which suggested that androgen could promote ovarian response by increasing the expression of Cx37 in follicle. Androgen plays an important role in ovarian response through the AR pathway and non-AR pathway.
Highlights
Recent researches demonstrate that pre-treatment with androgen could increase retrieved oocytes number and clinical pregnancy rate in poor ovarian response (POR) patients
Influence of different concentrations of testosterone on Cx37 expression To study the mechanism of androgen improving ovarian response, our research examined the levels of expression of Cx37 in COCs which were cultured with different levels of testosterone for 24 h in vitro
Combining with the preliminary study, our research suggested that adding a certain amount of androgen can improve the expression of connexin which is located the surface of oocytes and somatic cells in ovary, strengthen material and information communication among cells, improve ovarian micro-environment, improve ovarian response
Summary
Recent researches demonstrate that pre-treatment with androgen could increase retrieved oocytes number and clinical pregnancy rate in poor ovarian response (POR) patients. In view of gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) is important for follicular growth, and androgen plays an important role in improving prognosis of POR patients, we speculate that androgen can increase the expression of connexin in follicle cells, and improve ovarian microenvironment, can promote ovarian response. Produced primarily by the theca cells, it acts as a substrate for the aromatase activity of the granlosa cells, and converts to estrogen (estradiol and estrone), sequentially plays a role in follicle growth [3]. This is called indirect regulation effect of androgen. Recent researches report that androgen can regulate follicle development directly through various mechanisms [4]
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